Page:Wood Beyond the World.djvu/109

 thou wert born and bred; a city whereof thou hast hitherto told me nought.

Lady, he said, it is a fair and a great city, and to many it seemeth lovely. But I have left it, and now it is nothing to me.

Hast thou not kindred there? said she.

Yea, said he, and foemen withal; and a false woman waylayeth my life there.

And what was she? said the Lady.

Said Walter: She was but my wife.

Was she fair? said the Lady.

Walter looked on her a while, and then said: I was going to say that she was wellnigh as fair as thou; but that may scarce be. Yet was she very fair. But now, kind and gracious Lady, I will say this word to thee: I marvel that thou askest so many things concerning the city of Langton on Holm, where I was born, and where are my kindred yet; for meseemeth that thou knowest it thyself.

I know it, I? said the Lady.

What, then! thou knowest it not? said Walter.

Spake the Lady, and some of her old disdain was in her words: Dost thou deem that I wander about the world and its cheaping-steads like one of the chapmen? Nay, I 103